Database access machine for factory automation network

An access machine computer which is a first of a plurality of access machine computers for connection in a factory automation cell that includes a cell controlling computer and a plurality of station-level computers located at respective stations, the plurality of station-level computers including at least one computer controlling an industrial machine in real time, the first access machine computer comprising:

• a data access link processor module including
• database means for storing at least a portion of a database associated with the first access machine computer, the database including data items which are associated with stations of respective station-level computers during communication to and from the stations, the cell controlling computer accessing the data items on a basis that is independent of the addresses which are assigned to the data items at the stations for reference by respective station-level computers,
• first network communication means coupled to the database means for communicating the data items associated with the first access machine computer through a first network communication link to and from the cell controlling computer via messages in which data items are stored in and retrieved from the database independent of the addresses which are assigned at the stations at which the data items are monitored or controlled,
• second network communication means for communicating the data items through a second network communication link to and from the station-level computers via messages which include station-related blocks of information that are related by station to the respective station-level computers, and
• database interface means interfacing the database means to the second network communication means for translating the data items between the station-related blocks of information and the station-independent organization of the database;
• a communication link interface module including third communication means for communicating the messages with station-related blocks of information associated with the respective station-level computers through a second communication link to and from the station-level computers;
• and
• means for conveying the messages with station-related blocks of information associated with the respective station-level computers between the data access processor module and the communication link interface module.

An access machine which is a first of a plurality of access machines for connection in a factory automation cell that includes a cell controlling computer and a plurality of station-level computers located at a corresponding plurality of stations, the plurality of station-level computers including at least one station-level computer controlling an industrial machine in real time, the first access machine comprising:

• an access machine module outside the cell controlling computer for communicating upstream within the factory automation cell to the cell controlling computer and for communicating downstream within the factory automation cell to a plurality of station-level computers, the access machine module including
• database means for storing a database in which data items are associated with respective station-level computers, computer accessing the data items on a basis that is independent of the addresses which are assigned to the data items for reference by the respective station-level computers;
• first network communication means coupled to the database means for receiving a configuration message associated with the first access machine through a first network communication link from the cell controlling computer, wherein the configuration message includes a new data item to be added to the database;
• second network communication means for communicating data items through a second network communication link to and from the station-level computers via messages which include station-related blocks of information that are related to addresses of the stations of the respective station-level computers;
• database interface means for interfacing the database means to the second network communication means, the database interface means including linkages between the station-related blocks of information and the station-independent organization of the database;
• and
• database on-line configuration means responsive to receipt of the configuration message through the first network communication link for storing the new data item in the database means and for establishing a corresponding linkage in the database interface means between the station-related blocks of information and the station-independent organization of the database.